Two Malaysian men, who are both soldiers, were charged with raping a 10-year-old girl in a house in Bachok, Kelantan, last year.
Both suspects, Ismail and Aizat, who are 39 and 20 years old, respectively, pleaded NOT guilty at the Kota Bharu’s Sessions Court on Saturday (December 28). Both accused were charged under Section 376(2)(e), which can lead to a minimum prison sentence of 10 years but not more than 20 years, along with caning, if convicted.
The prosecution is handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamarul Hasyime Rosli, and both accused are represented by lawyers Majidah Muhamad and Mohd Firdaus Zainal Abidin, reported Harian Metro.
“The accused is a civil servant who cooperated well with police”
Mohd Firdaus, in his plea, requested that bail be granted, noting that his client, who is a civil servant, had cooperated well with the police and had previously surrendered himself at the Bachok Police Station, as well as having kids to support.
“One of my clients is nearing mandatory retirement next year and has to support four children who are still in school, while the other client has just completed training and will report to work tomorrow,” Firdaus told the court.
The court then granted bail of RM10,000 for each accused and required them to report to the nearest police station every month, in addition to being prohibited from interfering with witnesses.
The court has set February 2, 2025, for the re-mention of the case.
